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Bombing Quote by Glenn Greenwald

“The collect-it-all system did nothing to detect, let alone disrupt, the 2012 Boston Marathon bombing. It did not detect the attempted Christmas-day bombing of a jetliner over Detroit, or the plan to blow up Times Square, or the plot to attack the New York City subway system—all of which were…” quote by Glenn Greenwald
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““The collect-it-all system did nothing to detect, let alone disrupt, the 2012 Boston Marathon bombing. It did not detect the attempted Christmas-day bombing of a jetliner over Detroit, or the plan to blow up Times Square, or the plot to attack the New York City subway system—all of which were stopped by alert bystanders or traditional police powers.””

Glenn Greenwald

About This Quote

Source Article: The Intercept, 2015

The collect‑it‑all surveillance system failed to detect or prevent multiple terrorist plots, relying on bystanders and police.

In simple terms: Mass data collection missed key threats; human vigilance mattered.

Key Takeaway

Improve detection beyond data collection.

Themes

security surveillance terrorism

Mood

critical concerned

Type

policy inspirational

When to use this quote

  • law enforcement
  • public safety
  • community awareness
  • intelligence analysis

Key Concepts

policy technology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can technology complement human vigilance?
  • What safeguards protect privacy?
A Different Perspective

Privacy concerns limit data use.

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